Chelsea confirm £40m signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United
The winger has been looking to secure a move away all summer
Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United in a transfer worth £40 million, taking their summer spending close to £300m.
The 21-year-old winger becomes Chelsea’s ninth arrival of the window, joining fellow attacking recruits Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Estevao, and Jamie Gittens.
His arrival lifts the club’s total outlay to £296.8m – though the Blues have also raised £314.4m through the departures of 26 players, either permanently or on loan.
A compromise over Garnacho’s valuation was eventually struck. United had been holding out for £50m, while Chelsea’s opening bid was £25m.
The final fee represents United’s biggest player sale in five years, with the club understood to be satisfied with both the price and the resolution of the player’s future. The deal also includes a 10 per cent sell-on clause.
It is United’s fourth-largest sale of all time, behind those of Cristiano Ronaldo, Romelu Lukaku and Angel Di Maria, and their most lucrative exit of a homegrown academy product.
Garnacho, who had pushed for a move away from Old Trafford, rejected approaches from other clubs in order to secure a switch to Stamford Bridge.
He had been informed at the end of last season that he was free to leave and was not included in new manager Ruben Amorim’s pre-season training plans.
Speaking for the first time as a Blues man, Garnacho said: “It’s an incredible moment for my family and I to join this great club.
“I can’t wait to get started. I watched the Club World Cup and to join the world champions is special – we’re the best team in the world! It’s amazing to be here and I’m very happy.”